Student Support Services at BHSU announces spring Students of the Month

Four Black Hills State University students are being recognized for their accomplishments by TRiO Student Support Services (SSS). The spring 2019 SSS Students of the Month at BHSU are:

January 2019: Angie McDonnell, mass communication and professional accountancy major from Martin
Angie McDonnell first learned about the SSS program during registration day. She has been very involved as vice president of the TRiO Club. Angie plans to use her degree to work with documentary and sports photography. She also hopes to work in the accounting field serving the agriculture industry. SSS Advisor Summer DiGioia said, “Angie is a very dedicated college student who is not only a positive and active participant on campus but has been such a wonderful addition to SSS. Her hard work and dedication are recognized not only by us, but by her fellow students as a peer mentor and tutor. Angie is a pleasure to work with because she puts forth effort and positivity in all she does and always has a smile on her face. We are honored to have her in our program.” 

February 2019: Dayna Davenport-Dickson, human services and sociology major from Belle Fourche
Dayna graduated high school in Belle Fourche after spending a majority of her high school years in Cache, Okla. She was introduced to the TRiO program thanks to the previous program director Susan Hupp. She believes TRiO helped her believe in herself, and become successful in her academic life and beyond. Dayna has not officially finalized her plans for after graduation, but her goal is to help others in the best way she can. SSS English Specialist Tom Stulken nominated Dayna for the award. When asked about Dayna, Tom said, “Dayna works hard and knows when it is time to ask for help. She is adaptable, honest, and extremely capable of handling just about anything both life and college have to throw at her and it has been a rewarding opportunity to work with her over the past several years.”

March 2019: Abby Bertram, exercise science major from Parkston
Abby Bertram grew up in a family of six. Her parents are business owners and they illustrated the importance of drive and determination. Abby is currently a junior and plans to get a master’s degree in athletic training. Abby came into the TRiO program thanks to prior program director Susan Hupp who knew Abby before she came to BHSU. Susan saw Abby would benefit from the program, and now she helps mentor new participants each fall semester. SSS Director Ashley Kirchner said,“Abby is a very motivated and intelligent woman. In her three short years here, she has put in over 1,700 hours in the training room, which is 17 times the required 100 hours for admission into a master’s in athletic training. This summer Abby has an excellent internship lined up with Sanford Health in Sioux Falls. Her future is bright and we have enjoyed watching her grow. We can’t wait to see what her next big accomplishment will be.”

April 2019: Molly Graesser, exercise science major from Gregory
Thanks to TRiO, Molly Graesser feels confident in her ability to succeed in her chosen career of occupational therapy.  She feels TRiO was the help she needed as a first generation college student. Molly has helped TRiO in return by working as a peer assistant and peer tutor in order to help guide the students around her. SSS advisor Summer DiGioia stated, “It is my great pleasure to nominate Molly Graesser for the Student Support Services Student of the Month Award. Working with Molly has always been such a great and positive experience. We are honored to have Molly in our program. Her hard work, perseverance, and dedication are recognized not only by us, but her fellow classmates as a peer mentor and peer tutor.”

Students of the Month are selected based on their commitment and attitude with academics and the SSS program. For more information on the Student Support Services program at BHSU, contact Ashley Kircher, director of SSS, at 605-642-6824 or Ashley.Kircher@BHSU.edu

About Student Support Services at BHSU
Student Support Services is one of seven federal TRiO programs, funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Services provided at BHSU as part of SSS program include tutoring, as well as academic, career, personal, and financial advisement. To be considered for the SSS program, students must either be a first-generation college student (neither parent has earned a bachelor’s degree); meet income eligibility criteria; or have a documented disability.